A three-day trial that could shape the future of gambling in the state ended Wednesday. But during closing arguments, U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle suggested state regulators had violated an existing deal with the tribe. The state and Seminoles reached an agreement in 2010 that allowed the tribe to offer blackjack at its Florida casinos. But that provision expired last year.

US HELICOPTERS SENT TO HAITI AFTER HURRICANE

Adm. Kurt Tidd told reporters at the Pentagon on Wednesday that the helicopters are to arrive in Haiti on Thursday, weather permitting, by way of the Grand Cayman Islands and Jamaica. Some are equipped for search-and-rescue or medical evacuation missions, and others to transport supplies.

POLLUTED WATER POURS INTO SINKHOLE AT FERTILIZER PLANT

Hurricane Matthew’s heavy rains are predicted to soak much of Florida, and that could complicate efforts to manage the pollution flowing into a sinkhole that opened up beneath a fertilizer plant’s massive pile of toxic waste. The plant’s owner, Mosaic Co., is pumping out water through a well while preparing to plug the huge hole under one of its gypsum stacks. But millions of gallons of contaminated water have already drained into Florida’s main drinking-water aquifer.

STUDENT CHARGED WITH THREATENING TO KILL CLASSMATES

The 12-year-old Seven Springs Middle School student faces an adult, felony charge of making a written threat to kill. The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office reports that the boy made an account on a social networking video app, musical.ly, with the name “@clouning_around” and used a photo of a scary clown as his profile picture. One post said he was going to kill sixth-graders at Seven Springs on Friday.

SUSPECT IN KILLING OF SLAIN LAW PROFESSOR PLEADS GUILTY

Luis Rivera on Tuesday pleaded guilty to second-degree murder for his role in what police have called a murder-for-hire plot that targeted professor Dan Markel. Rivera, who is already serving a 12-year prison sentence on an unrelated charge, is now sentenced to an additional seven years behind bars.